New Delhi: Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen research, development and testing in sustainable mobility and automotive technologies.
The collaboration brings together BPCL’s expertise in energy, fuels and lubrication technologies with ARAI’s capabilities in automotive testing, validation, research and engineering. The partnership will focus on developing and validating solutions for both emerging electric mobility and conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
The MoU was exchanged by Kannan S, Business Head, BPCL Lubes, and Dr Reji Mathai, Director, ARAI, in the presence of Dr Bharat Newalkar, Head (R&D), BPCL, and senior officials from both organisations.
BPCL and ARAI to Collaborate on Automotive Technologies
Under the partnership, BPCL and ARAI will undertake joint research, development and testing across a range of technologies linked to India’s evolving mobility ecosystem.
The key areas of collaboration include:
- Advanced lubricants and coolants.
- Fuel additives.
- Next-generation and alternate fuels.
- Speciality fluids.
- Alternative energy solutions.
- Automotive technologies.
- Testing and validation of new formulations and technologies.
The collaboration is aimed at supporting the development of cleaner, more efficient and self-reliant solutions for India’s automotive and industrial sectors.
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Focus on Advanced Fluids for Electric Vehicles
A major area of the partnership is expected to be the development and validation of advanced fluids for electric vehicles (EVs).
As EV charging speeds increase and electric powertrains become more compact and integrated, thermal management is becoming increasingly important.
Specialised thermal-management fluids can help manage heat generated by batteries and other electric-drive components.
One technology being explored in this area is dielectric fluid, which can come into direct contact with battery cells and electrical components.
Unlike conventional indirect cooling systems, direct or immersion cooling can bring the cooling medium closer to the battery cells, potentially improving heat management in high-power applications.
E-Fluids for Motors, Inverters and Gears
The collaboration also has relevance for specialised fluids used in electric drive systems.
Modern electric powertrains can combine motors, inverters and reduction gears within compact drive units. This creates specific requirements for the fluids used in these systems.
Such specialised e-fluids may need to perform multiple functions, including:
- Cooling electrical components.
- Lubricating high-speed gears.
- Managing heat in compact drive systems.
- Supporting reliable operation of electric powertrain components.
Research and testing in these areas can help develop fluids suited to the changing requirements of electric mobility.
Advanced Lubricants to Support ICE Efficiency
The partnership also covers technologies for conventional internal combustion engine vehicles.
Advanced low-viscosity lubricants can help reduce internal friction within engines and may contribute to incremental improvements in fuel efficiency.
However, the use of lower-viscosity oils also requires extensive testing and validation to ensure that improvements in efficiency do not compromise engine durability and performance.
ARAI’s testing and engineering capabilities can support the validation of such lubricant technologies across different automotive applications.
Focus on Fuel Additives and Higher Ethanol Blends
Fuel additives are another important area of collaboration, particularly as India continues to increase ethanol blending in petrol.
ARAI has undertaken phased validation studies during India’s transition from lower ethanol blends to E20 petrol, which contains up to 20% ethanol.
These studies have examined areas such as:
- Vehicle performance.
- Engine and component durability.
- Startability.
- Driveability.
- Vehicle-level performance.
- Compatibility of components and materials with E20 fuel.
The experience gained through this testing provides a foundation for further research into next-generation fuel blends and additives.
Supporting India’s Transition to Cleaner Mobility
The BPCL-ARAI partnership brings together expertise from energy, fuels, lubricants, automotive engineering and testing.
The collaboration is expected to support research across both established and emerging mobility technologies rather than focusing on a single type of vehicle or fuel.
The partnership will particularly address the evolving requirements of:
- Electric vehicles and their thermal-management systems.
- Conventional vehicles using higher ethanol-blended fuels.
- Advanced lubricants and speciality fluids.
- Next-generation fuel formulations.
- Alternative energy solutions.
ARAI said the collaboration will help accelerate innovation, improve vehicle performance and contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable future for the Indian automotive industry.
Partnership Supports Indigenous Automotive Innovation
The collaboration also aligns with the broader objective of developing technology solutions within India.
By combining BPCL’s research and development capabilities with ARAI’s testing, validation and engineering expertise, the two organisations can work together on technologies relevant to India’s specific mobility and energy requirements.
The partnership is expected to contribute to the development of solutions that are not only cleaner and more efficient but also support greater technological self-reliance in the automotive and industrial ecosystem.
About BPCL
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) is a Maharatna public sector oil and gas company under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India. The company operates across refining, fuel marketing, lubricants, gas and other energy-related businesses. Through its R&D and technology initiatives, BPCL is also working on solutions related to cleaner fuels, advanced lubricants, alternative energy and the evolving mobility ecosystem.
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